The faculty and staff of the Cazenovia Middle School are anxiously awaiting the return of our students on September 6. We have been developing and revising curriculum over the summer, preparing for the challenges of the new academic year. Hopefully families have had some quality time together and are ready to continue their important roles in the success of their children's future. It is essential that we work together toward achieving our goals.

We would especially like to welcome our new fifth graders and the many new residents to the district. Many of you visited throughout the summer and we hope you are at ease with the transition to the Middle School. We will do all we can to make our school your new home.

Each student will receive an agenda. This tool acts as our student handbook and assignment book. Parents are asked to read the first pages of the agenda and sign the inside cover. We hope this book will be a useful communication device.

The district's calendar provides much important information and we encourage you to keep it handy when planning vacations, making appointments, and looking for dates of school events. The first important Middle School activity is Open House Night on September 28 from 7-9 pm. due to the content and the structure of the program, this night is for parents only. You will receive a copy of your child's schedule on the 28th and we ask that you follow it closely; this will enable you to meet as many of our staff as possible. Sign-up sheets for individual parent conferences will be available in each classroom. We hope you will be able to attend. If you would like to visit our school at other times please call us for an appointment.

The PTA is continuing to focus on parent volunteerism this year. Anyone interested in volunteering in our school should contact Josie Glos at 655-8296. Our PTA is a vibrant organization. We hope you will join us at our monthly meetings which are listed in the district calendar.

The Middle School welcomes several new staff members this year. New staff include Ms. Julie Lund, grade five, Ms. Stephanie Luiere, Grade seven, and Ms. Deborah Taube, foreign language. I hope you will make each of them feel at home too.

Once again, our goal for the 2000-01 academic year will be to provide each student with a challenging yet appropriate academic schedule while encouraging good citizenship and interpersonal relationships. The New York State Commissioner of Education has established higher standards for all and we will work collectively to ready your child for the upcoming demands of high school and beyond. We take this seriously and need your help in reaching our goals. Please communicate with us regarding your child and concerns you may have about our school. Together we can make it happen.

Burton Street School Reminders

By Mrs. Susan Gorton, Burton Street Principal

Students in first, second, third, and fourth grade will be greet by faculty and volunteers in the Burton Street School halls on Wednesday, September 6 at 7:50 a.m. and dismissal that day will be at 2:25 p.m.

A reminder to new families in the district; you must register your child at the school prior to the first day of classes on September 6.

A kindergarten preview will be held on Wednesday, September 6. Boys and girls will be able to visit their rooms between 8:30-10:30 a.m.Regular kindergarten activities will begin on Thursday, September 7.

Parents are reminded about the importance of labeling their child's belongings. Young children tend to misplace things and are unable to recognize their things, especially if they are new.

The Burton Street School office is updating the addresses, phone numbers, day care providers, and any other pertinent information for each child enrolled in the school. If you have not already done so, please complete and return the Day Care Provider's Form and return it to the school office as soon as possible.

Parent volunteers will be at the Burton Street School for the first several days of school to assist kindergarten and first grade students with boarding the bus and lunch room activities.

Always drop children off at the back door, never in the bus turn around.

Never park in or block a fire lane.

Be on time for school. Drop-off no earlier than 7:40 a.m. and no later than 8:10 a.m. Pick-up children in the art room at 2:25, never in the classroom.

Never pass a school bus with flashing red lights.

Visitors must always sign in at the office during school hours.

Always send a note with your child for bus changes. Call the office to make emergency bus changes, not the classroom teacher.

Return absence excuses promptly.

If possible, pay for lunches in advance.

Label all belongings clearly. check the lost and found table regularly.

Check backpacks and agendas daily. You'll be amazed at what you'll find.

Return all permission slips for field trips promptly.

If you volunteer at school, sign in at the volunteer room to receive credit for your efforts.

Establish a regular bedtime and homework routine.

Join and support the PTA.

Put money in sealed and marked envelopes when children are bringing it to school.

Ask, if you have questions.  

Students Take Whale Watching Trip

Members of the seventh grade class at Cazenovia Middle School had a whale of a good time on a weekend trip to Cape Cod this past spring. Seventy-four students and 20 chaperones got a first hand look at the ocean and coastal wetland environment around the cape and some history lessons along the way.

Their adventure began as they boarded buses in Cazenovia early Friday morning. their first stop was Old Sturbridge village in Central Massachusetts. This recreation of an 1830s New England village gave the class a realistic look at life during the colonial and post-revolutionary period they studied during the school year.

On Saturday the group arose early to venture out on the high seas in search of the mighty whale. They left Provincetown on a boat from the Dolphin Fleet and traveled about 18 miles north to Stellwagon Bank. This underwater shelf causes an upwelling of ocean currents that carry nutrients to the surface, providing an abundant source of food for ocean life.

The class sighted humpback, finback, and minke whales and a basking shark. A guide from the Center for Coastal Studies expertly narrated the whale watch. She explained whale behaviors, along with many interesting facts about the whales of the north Atlantic. The four hour whale watch was over too quickly and was something the class will never forget.

Following the whale watch the group did some shopping in Provincetown and then stopped at the National Seashore Visitor Center. The class spent the afternoon exploring tidal marshes along Cape Cod Bay at First Encounter Beach and at the WellFleet Audubon Sanctuary. With the guidance of naturalists from the Audubon society, the class observed and identified many different plants that inhabit the wetlands.

The final day of the trip included a stop at Coast Guard Beach to enjoy one last look at the waves, dunes, and wildlife before the long trip home. Despite some rough seas and some cold, rainy weather the trip was an enormous success. The effort was planned by Walt Stroud, a science teacher at the middle school.

Middle School PTA Sets Committee Chairs

Hello from the Middle School PTA board.

While the summer comes up the home stretch it seems just yesterday that it was June and we were busy working to fill the many committees it takes to keep our PTA running smoothly. Many of those dedicated individuals who served as chair people for the 1999-2000 school year have agreed to return for this next school year.

Josie Glos will be chairing the Parent Volunteer program again as well as school photos and the Shared Decision Making Committee. Bitsy Namy will return to serve with Josie on this committee and the Parent Volunteer Committee. Bitsy will also continue to chair the Character Education Committee. Sue Duffy returns to chair the Membership Committee while Julie Mattina continues with the popcorn program and Luanne Spafford will direct the school store.

Margaret Little will continue to chair the Library Book Fair Committee and Lou Anne turner will serve as the high school PTA president for her final year. Evelyn Tordoff returns and will be assisted by Beth Capella on the Safe Homes Committee and Linda McAleer returns with Linda Siracuse for the Babysitting course. Crystal Gaskell and Jill Ryan will be co-chairing our major fundraisier for the year. You can look for the wrapping paper and gift catalogs to arrive in late September.

Cindy Dzioba and Laura Naughton will be organizing the seventh grade dance to be held the Friday before Halloween.

We extend our appreciation and thanks to the many parents for their dedication to the Middle School PTA.

As you can tell, we have a full slate for the coming school year. There are plenty of opportunities to become involved in any of these initiatives. While each of these committees has chair people in place, they all need volunteers to help ensure their efforts are successful. One area we have yet to fill is a chair person for the Arts Committee. This is a committee complete with funds and people willing to help. This committee is responsible for the various enrichment programs held at the school throughout the year.

If you would like any additional information regarding the Middle School PTA feel free to contact Luanne Spafford, president, or Ann Zinsmeister, vice-president.

Nurses Clarify New Policy

According to the New York State Education Department, the state agency responsible for developing policy and rules for school nurses, they may no longer administer Tylenol and/or acetaminiphen with just a parent permission slip. The next time you visit your doctor, he/she must write an order for whatever pain medication your child is accustomed to taking., attach a parent permission slip, and drop off the paperwork with a container of the prescribed pain medication to the school nurse. Often students with a headache and no fever can get through the day with some pain relief. If you have questions regarding this policy you may contact the nurse at your child's school building.

Role of Calculators in Math Clarified

State assessments in mathematics are changing as is the role of the calculator in mathematics instruction. Graphing calculators may now be used on the Math A assessment and in June, 2001 they will be required for use on the Math B assessment.

Frank Plata, chairman of the high school math department, suggested that parents plan ahead for the purchase of a graphing calculator, noting that they are expensive, usually around $90. He also recommended the Texas Instruments model TI-83 since math teachers will provide instruction on the use of the calculator and use this model in their lessons. It is required for students taking AP Calculus. Mr. Plata added that the Texas Instruments model TI-83 Plus is also acceptable since it has the same features but can be electronically upgraded.

Before purchasing a calculator have any questions you may have answered by your child's math teacher. Mr. Plata may be reached at Cazenovia High School at 655-1370.